Equipoiser.



` EQUIPOISER.

APPLICATION FILED M014, 1910.

i 1,028,071. Y PatentedMay28,1912.

ATTORNEYS COLUMBIA PLANOGRMH Co..\v^sHxNcToN, n, c.

' G. HIPWOOD & P; BGAN'.

EQUIPOISEIR. APPLICATION FILED M014, 1910.

Patented May 28, 1912.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

I Il. I' l G. HIPWooD L P. PGAN.

EQUIPOISBR.

APPLICATION FILED 1120.14, 1910.

1,028,071 Patented May 28, 1912.

' 4 SHEETS-SHEEP s.

WIT/VESSEL? TUHIVEYS COLUMBIA LANOGRAFH co.. wASHlNo-roN. D. c.

Y GEORGE HIPWOOD AND PATRICK EGAN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

EQUIPOISER.

Spec cation of Letters Patent.

Patented May 28,1912.

Application filed December 14, 1910. Serial No. 597,204.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that we, GEORGE Hirwoon and PATRICK EGAN, both citizens of the United States, and residents of the city of New York, borough of Manhattan, in the county and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Equipoiser, of which the following is a full, clear, and eX- act description.

This invention relates to an attachment for a flying machine, whereby the poise or balance of the flying machine may be maintained under varying conditions, in such a way that there will be little or no danger to lthe operator if the engine, propeller, or controlling devices should break down.

In the majority of accidents, the engine or propeller has broken down, so that the aeroplane, robbed of its forward propulsion, is devoid of supporting effect, unless the aviator can accumulate a forward drive by dropping` in a spiral manner under the force of gravity, and thus obtain the necessary reaction to support the aeroplane in the air a sufficient time to counteract any tendency to drop suddenly to the ground without resistance. Sometimes it is almost impossible to make these spiral dips in the face of conditions which confront the aviator, or at least, it takes an experienced aviator to perform the evolutions, so that sometimes the aeroplane dips to one sideor the other, or forward or back, to such an extent that t-he supporting planes are presented edgewise to the horizontal, instead of horizontally, so that they have practically no supporting effect. In such an event, the plane must necessarily drop to the ground. This may also occur even when the propeller and motor are working after the elevating rudder is destroyed or out of order.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide an attachment for an aeroplane or other air ship, which can be operated to automatically transfer the aeroplane into a parachute by shift-ing the center of gravity to such a point that it will be located below the supporting planes, and so that the connection to the planes will be such as to prevent edgewise dipping, and thereby maintain the planes normally substantially hori- Zontal, so that the flying machine will float gradually to the ground without any appreciable damage. This may be done by shift- `aeroplane may lbe allowed,

ing the weight to variable distances below the supporting planes, so that the effect on t-he aeroplane as a whole, may be varied to such an extent that a limited tilting of the varying in amounts according to the position of the weight, without bringing the counteracting influence of the weight into play.

Another object of this invention is to provide a flying machine with a weight adjustable so as to vary the center of gravity, of the flying machine, whereby allowance may be made for eccentric loading of the flying machine, such as that due to additional passengers.

A further object of this invention is to provide a weight for a flying machine, connected thereto by suitable guy lines, which are adapted under certain conditions to transmit the force due to the action of gravity on said weight, to said flying machine, said `weight being adjustable as to its position, with means for automatically taking up the slack on said guys.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an auxiliary weight for a Hying machine, which may be used as ballast, and which may be also used to maintain the stability and poise of the flying machine, with means for varying the weight to suit conditions.

These and further objects, together with the construction and combination of parts, will be more fully described hereinafter and particularly set forth in the claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, i'n which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding part-s in all the views, and in which- Figure l isa perspective view, showing our invention attached to an aeroplane of the fright type; Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical section, viewed from the front; Fig. 3 is a side view in elevation; Fig. '-1 is an enlarged detail section through the tank used to store the weight; Fig. is a detail longitudinal vertical section, showing the mechanism in juxtaposition to the operators seat, Fig. 6 as a vertical transverse section through the operating mechanism controlling the various flexible connections; Fig. 7 is a fragmentary vertical longitudinal detail section of some of the operating mechanism; Fig. 8 is a detail section showing the means for adjusting the position of the weight; Fig. 9 is an enlarged section taken at right-angles to Fig. 8, showing the means for shifting the weight; FiglO'is a detail sectional view of one of the clutches for securing one of the flexible connections; F ig. 11 is a detail section illustrat-ing one of the spring drums; Fig. 12 is a detail section illust-rating one of the spring drums, taken at right-angles to the section shown in Fig. 11; and Fig. 13 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the amount of play which t-he supporting planes or aeroplane may have at various positions of the weight, without bringing the transverse action of the weight into play.

Referring more particularly to the separate parts of this invention as embodied in the form shown in the drawings, 1 indicates a flying machine, t-o which the device is attached which may be of any suitable character, and is shown in this case in the form of a l/Vright biplane. Located below the lowermost plane, if there are a plurality as shown in this case, there is provided a weight 2, which may be of any suitable character, and is so located that it will exert an even pull on the flying machine, such as the aeroplane shown, both transversely and longitudinally. The weight 2 is preferably cigar or torpedo-shaped, and extends in the same lengthwise direction as the longitudinal axis of the aeroplane, so that-it will cut the air and offer little or no resistance to the motion of the flying machine. In this case, the weight 2 is shown in the form of an aluminium tank 3, adapted to be filled by any suitable material, which may be used as ballast. This material may be of any suitable character, such as water rectified spirits, mercury, sand, shot, or even gasolene, which can be used to drive the engine of the flying machine.

The tank 3 is provided with an outlet 4l, controlled by a valve 5 of any suitable character, which may be operated from the flying machine 1 in a manner to be described, so as to let out the contents of the tank in case it is desired to relieve the flying machine of unnecessary weight, or in case it is desired to alight on water, where the tank, when emptied of heavy material, will act as a float and support the flying machine on the water.

The weight 2 may be manipulated in any suitable manner, as by means of a flexible connection 6, which is at-tached thereto in any suitable manner, as by means of a ring 7 and which is adapted to be wound on a drum 8, located at any suitable point on the flying machine out of the way, as for example, under the operators seat 9. The drum 8 is splined onto a shaft 10, which may be operated in any suitable manner, as by means of a hand crank 11, so as to wind up the flexible connection 6, and thus vary the position of the weight 2 from its lowermost position to its uppermost 'position in close juxtaposition to the flying machine, or any intermediate position. l

For the purpose of locking the weight in any of its numerous positions, there is provided on the shaft 10 a ratchet wheel 12, which is controlled by means of a detent 13, normally held in engagement therewith by means of a spring 111-, and adapted to be released from engagement therewith by means of a handle 15. This mechanism may be termed the lock for securing the weight in any adjusted position. Also secured to the shaft 10, there is provided'a drum 1G, which is adapted to wind thereon a flexible connect-ion 17. The latter extends downwardly through a guide 18 on the flexible connection 6, to a bell crank lever 19, which is connected to the spindle 20 of the valve 5, and is adapted to open the valve against the tension of a spring 21, which normally holds this valve closed.

Vhen the weight 2 is in its lowermost position, it transforms the flying machine into a parachute, so that it will maintain it always on an even keel, counteracting any dipping or cant-ing due to any cause. In order to transmit the force of the weight to the outer sides of the flying machine, there are provided guys 22 and 23, which extend diagonally upward, transversely of the flying machine', and are secured in any suitable manner to the weight 2, as by means of eveners 24 and 25, and are also connected at their opposite ends to the flying machine proper, by means of resilient members, which may be of any suitable character, such as springs 26 and 27. These springs per-` mit slight transverse dippings of the flying machine without bringing the weight 2 into play to any appreciable extent, so that vibration of the aeroplane is eliminated, and they may also take up the jar incident to sudden dropping of the weight 2 when it is desired to instantly control the flying machine and transform it into a parachute.

For the purpose of taking up the slack in the guys 23 when the weight 2 is raised to its uppermost position, or, in fact, to certain positions above its lowermost position, there are provided guy-carrying lines 28 and 29, which are secured to the guys 22 and 23 in any suitable manner, and are rove through loops 129 of any suitable character, secured in any suitable manner to the guys 22 and 23. The manner of supporting the guys is clearly shown in the dotted-lines in Fig. 2. rllhese guy-carrying lines may be taken up in any suitable manner, preferably automatically by means of spring drums 30 and 31, which, while shown mounted on the shaft 10, are not positively connected thereto, but run loosely, and are adapted to be wound up by springs 32 and 33, which are secured at one end to the drums and 31 respectively, and at the opposite ends to a casing 34 surrounding the drums.

In case the flying machine is provided with skids, as shown in the drawings, these skids may be provided witha plurality of grooves 35, into which the guys 22 and 23 and the guy-carrying lines 28 can pass, so that when the weight is in its uppermost position, these various flexible connections will be located above the lower surface of the skids, and thus out of danger of being cut by contact with the ground. ln case the flying machine should have wheels, the flexible connections could be made to come above the lowermost surface of the wheels by any suitable structure of the frameworl Even when the danger of transverse dipping is avoided, there remains the possibility of a sudden forward or rearward plunge of the flying machine, which it is highly desirable to guard against. For this purpose, the points located to the front and rear of the center of gravity of the flying machine are attached to the weightV 2 at any suitable points, preferably the front and rear thereof, respectively. In this case, there are shown flexible guys 36 and 37, extending respectively rearwardly and forwardly over suitable attachments on the frame of the flying machine, such as pulleys 38 and 39, to any suitable taking-in mechanism, such as spring drums -lO and 41. These spring drums may be of any suitable character, and one form which has been found feasible is shown more clearly in Figs. 1l and 12. The spring drums 4l() and 41, however, bear no appreciable strain, and merely take up the slack ofthe guys, to prevent them from sagging and becoming entangled. The forward and rearward position of the weight 2 canbe varied, so as to vary its effect on the flying machine when in its lowered position, by pulling in on either the guy 36 or the guy 37. For this purpose, there are secured to the guys 36 and 37, at any suitable point, flexible connections l2 and 43, which are provided with loop handles lil and 45, whereby they may be operated, and also extend through suitable locking cleats 4G, whereby they may be locked in any adjusted position. rl`hese locking cleats may be of any suit-able character, such as that shown in Fig. 10, wherein it will be seen that` there are provided a pair of gripping jaws 47, which engage the flexible connection on opposite sides, and are forced into more intimate contact with wedge members 48 located in the side of the casing 4-9 which includes the mechanism. The gripping jaws 47 may be urged into their gripping action by means of a spring 50. Any other suitable form of cleat may beused for this purpose. y

It may be desirable that the points of support of the weight 2 on the flying machine be adjustable so as to vary the relative position of the weight and the flying machine, as may be necessary in case of an eccentric load due to additional passengers. Any suitable means may be provided for this purpose. In this case, however, the points where the guys 22 and 23 are attached to the flying machine are adjustable longitudinally of the frame, and the point where the hoisting or weight-lifting flexible connection 6 is attached to the flying machine, is also adjustable. A means which is considered feasible for this purpose is to provide longitudinally-extending ribs 51, 52 and 53, which are adapted to slidingly and adjustably support hangers 55, which in turn support respectively the guys 22 and 23, the guy-carrying lines 28 and 29, and the hoisting connection 6 and the valve line 17. The hangers in the case of the guy lines may be simply provided with eyes, to which the springs can be attached, and in the case of the guy-supporting lines and the other flexible connection, provided with suitable pulleys, over which the-connections may run. Inasmuch as the adjustment is the same in each case, only one is shown in detail, which is clearly illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9. This refers to one of the ribs 52 for supporting the hanger for the guy-carrying line. It will be seen that the rib is provided with keys 56, which fit in corresponding slots in the hanger, and that the hanger is adapted to be locked in any adjusted position by one or more set screws 57. In the case of the central hanger, which is adapted to furnish the means for adjusting the position of the hoisting connection 6 and the valve line 17 there is provided a pulley for each of these lines, and also pulleys 53 for the guy-carrying lines 2S and 29, so that they may be properly'led, together with the hoisting line 6 and the valve line 17, over pulleys 59 disposed in such relation with respect to the drums 8, 16, 30 and 31, that they will lead the lines properly to them.

For the purpose of releasing the valve in the manner described, there is provided an auxiliary connection G0, which is provided with a loop 61 at one end, rove on to the valve line 17 and with a handle 62 at the other end, whereby it may be operated. This connection maybe flexible, if desired, and pass over one or more pulleys (33 in order to make the operation successful. It will be seen that by simply pulling' up on the handle 62, the line 17 will be drawn on, no matter what the position of the weight 2, so that the valve 5 will be opened.

The operation of the device will he readily understood when taken in connection with the above description. Generally, under normal conditions, the weight 2, which comprises the most active member of the equipoiser, is normally located in the dotted position illustrated in Fig. 2, close up under the fiying machine, where it will be out of the way and not affect the steering or manipulation of the flying machine to any extent. In this position, however, it can be used to counteract any eccentric load of the iiying machine by adjustment of the hangers 57 longitudinally of the fiying machine along the ribs. Vhile the machine is in the air, if the engine should stop, the propeller break, or any other accident occur, which would hurt the eiiiciency and driving force of the flying machine, the operator,by simply moving the handle l5, can release the locking mechanism, so that the drums which form a part of the controller or controlling mechanism, can unwind under the force of gravity, acting on the weight 2. The aviator can allow the weight to drop to its fullest extent, so that the hoisting line G will hang loosely, and carry none of the weight, while the guys 22 and 23 carry all the weight and transfer it to the extreme transverse portions of the flying machine. The rearward and forward guy lines 3G and 37 can be caused to form a more or less positive connection between the weight 2 and the rear and front portions of the flying machine by means of the handles 114C and 45, whereby they can be adjusted and heldin adjusted position by the cleats 46. In fact, by an extraordinary tension on one or the other of these rear and front guys, the weight 2 may be eccentrically located in a longitudinal direction, so as to counteract any eccentric loading or supporting effect on the flying machine itself, or so as to cause the flying machine to go up or down in case the controlling mechanism should be out of order. It will thus be seen that the fiying machine may be instantly turned into a parachute, which will float lightly to the ground, without the necessity of any great skill on the part of the aviator. If the aviator should desire a certain limit of play of the aeroplane without bringing in action the effect of the equipoiser, the weight 2 could be adjusted by means of the hand crank 11 and the lock, to a position intermediate its lowest position and its uppermost position, such that any of those indicated in the dotted lines in the diagrammatic illustration of Fig. 13. Here, it will be seen that the weight is taken off the guy lines 22 and 23, and also, if desired, off the guy lines 36 and 37, so that the aeroplane is free to swing to a limited extent without the restraining influence of the equipoiser, the extent depending on the vertical position of the weight 2.

In Fig. 3, it will be seen that when the weight occupies the position indicated in dotted lines at A, the aeroplane can tilt to the position A, A before the slack in the guy line 23will be taken up suiiciently to exert a direct pull between the plane and the weight 2. In the other positions of the weight indicated, such as B and C, the aeroplane can tilt to the respective posit-ions B', B and C, C before the effect of the equipoiser will be felt. Of course, the plane can swing corresponding amounts in the opposite direction with the same action. The tension of the spring drums for the guycarrying lines 2S and 29 is merely sufficient to take up the slack in the guys 22 and 23, and will not affect the action of the heavy weight of the equipoiser 2. 1t will thus be seen that the operator can limit to a nicety the extent of dipping that the aeroplane may do, before the equipoiser will act and tend to bring it back to a normal position. This play may be found often necessary when it is desired to maneuver the aeroplane, as in going around corners, when a greater amount of horizontal resistance is desired, to prevent the aeroplane from skidding off.

1t will be seen that the weight member 2, being in the form of the hollow tank 3, adapted tobe filled with any suitable material, can be supplied at any point along the route in case it has been found necessary to open the valve 5 and release the contents. The case where it might be necessary to do the latter would be where the fiying machine was in danger of alighting on a body of water, when the empty tank 3 would act as a float, support-ing the flying machine on the surface of the water. The exact nature of the contents of the tank 3 is unimportant, although it would be desirable to have a heavy liquid, such as mercury, or water, or, in case where it was intended to fly to considerable altitudes, of rectified spirits, so that there would be no danger of freezing.

While we have shown one embodiment of our invention, we do not wish to be limited to the specific details thereof, but desire to be protected in various changes, alterations and modifications which may come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent l. The combination with a flying machine, of a weight adapted to be suspended at a considerable distance below said flying machine, a plurality of transversely-extending guys connecting said weight with said flying machine, a plurality of longitudinallyextending guys connecting said weight with said flying machine, means for varying the position of said weight, and spring drums for automatically taking up the slack on some of said guys.

2. The combination with a flying machine, of a weight adapted to be suspended from said iiying. machine, guys connecting said Weight with said lying machine, guy-supporting lines adapted to take up the slack on said guys, and means for automatically 'aking up the slack in said guy-supporting mes.

3. The combination with a flying machine, of a Weight adapted to be suspended from said iiying machine, guys connecting said Weight with said flying machine, guy-supporting lines adapted to take up the slack on said guys, and a spring drum for taking up the slack in said guy-supporting lines.

4. The combinat-ion With a flying machine, of a Weight adapted to control the equilibrium of said flying maChine, guy lines connecting said Weight with said flying machine, an automatic control or said guy lines, and a manual control for said guy lines.

5. The combination with a iying machine, of. a Weight for cont-rolling the equilibrium of said Hying machine, a plurality of ieXible connections connecting said Weight with said flying machine, automatic means for Winding in some of said flexible connections, and manual means for Winding in others of said iiexible connections.

6. The combination With a flying machine, of a Weight suspended from said flying machine, means Jfor adjust-ing said Weight to a plurality of positions relative to said flying machine, said Weight comprising a tank having an opening therein, a valve for closing said tank, a ieXible connection between said valve and said flying machine, a drum for Winding` up said flexible connection to take up the slack in the various positions of said Weight, a loop rove onto said flexible connection, and means for pulling on said loop so as to draw on said flexible connection and operate said valve in any position of adjustment of said Weight.

In testimony whereof We have signed our names to this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

GEORGE I-HPYVOOD. PATRICK EGAN.- Witnesses:

HonATio WHITING, JOHN P. DAVIS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patentsy Washington, ZD. C. 

